Richard Hammond's Crash Course

At Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, Richard Hammond tests his skills to see if he has what it takes to be a member of a top tank crew, as he learns to drive the US Army's MIA2 Abrams Tank. Richard's challenge is not only to drive the 68.7 ton machine, but to master all four positions within the tank: Driver, Commander, Gunner and Loader. All after he completes the Army's rigorous training program!

In the midst of an Oregon forest, Richard Hammond's skills are put to the test when he is challenged to become a lumberjack and master three massive machines that cut and process wood. However, before Richard can touch the machines he has to prove he has what it takes to become a lumberjack by climbing 50 feet up a tree and learning how to replant the trees to create a sustainable forest.

Richard Hammond gets down and dirty at the Denver Regional Landfill where he learns how to operate three trash machines - the Compactor, Scraper and Bulldozer.  Richard not only has to master all three, he is challenged to maintain the machines as well, which means cleaning them at the end of a hard day's work.

Richard Hammond takes on the Striker, the world's most powerful fire engine, under the supervision of the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport firefighters.  The Striker has eight wheels which are all driven and features two water cannons that can fire up to 1200 gallons a minute.  Richard also attempts to master the physical challenges that determine if he has what it takes to be a firefighter.

Richard Hammond is bringing down the house in Orlando, Florida, home to one of the busiest demolition companies in the nation, and he's using their massive Track Hoe and Wrecking Ball to do it. On average, it takes a person six months to master a Track Hoe, but Richard only has a few hours to learn. Richard tries to prove to the company his worth by demolishing a house with surgical precision.

Richard Hammond has his hands full as he heads down to Louisiana to salvage scrap metal.  He must conquer the Crane, the Claw and the Electro-Magnet, all of which are essential tools used to break down oil rigs and select the reusable material. Carrying anywhere between 4,000 pounds to 150 tons at one time, these are some heavy-lifting machines!